Alameda Native History Project is proud to partner with our awesome and enthusiastic and diverse community for Alameda’s First Annual Acorn Harvest!
Acorn season is upon us!
The streets are filled with the sounds of foraging. The crunching and munching of squirrels chewing on acorns forms a surprisingly backtrack on a slow weekend morning.
This is Alameda’s present-day urban forest.
You may have never noticed it before. But Alameda is full of oak trees. It’s during acorn season that we’re reminded la bolsa de Encinal is still here.
Acorns have not been readily available as a food source for over 100 years.
The Alameda Native History Project seeks to reopen the local indigenous foodways of Alameda and the East Bay.
The acorns we harvest together will be used to fill the Acorn Granary at the Alameda Point Collaborative Farm2Market.
They will stay in the granary over winter. And we will process the acorns in spring.
Some of the Acorn Flour and Acorn Meal which we will produce will be used as the featured ingredient of our culinary series. Some will be offered to local Native American Organizations and Tribes. A limited amount Acorn Flour and Acorn Meal will be offered to the public for fundraising.
Harvest teams are forming now. You’re invited!
We’re excited to share this opportunity with you to be a part of our Acorn Harvest Team. Whether you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity, a chance to connect with nature, or a way to help revitalize a food pathway which hasn’t been readily available for over 100 years, we welcome you to join our team!
Here’s what we’re doing:
- Sorting Acorns: Help us sort acorns by size and quality.
- Harvesting Acorns: Collect acorns that have fallen from trees.
- Scooping and Bagging Acorns: Help us scoop and bag acorns for storage.
- Packing Acorn Granaries: Assist us in packing acorns into granaries for long-term storage.
Sign-up using the First Annual Acorn Harvest Sign-Up Form.
We welcome volunteers of all abilities and will work to accommodate your needs. Whether you prefer to work from a seated position or are able to assist with physical tasks, we have opportunities for everyone to contribute.
Join us for a fun and rewarding experience that will connect you with your community and the natural world. Let us know which tasks you’re available for and any accommodations you may need.
Support the First Annual Acorn Harvest by donating to the Alameda Native History Project.
By supporting this project, you are helping to revive a forgotten food source and reconnect with the rich cultural heritage of our region. Together, we can reclaim the acorn as a symbol of community, sustainability, and cultural resilience. Join us in this effort to rebuild our local indigenous foodways and create a more equitable and sustainable food system for all.
Your contribution will directly support our acorn harvest and processing efforts, as well as our culinary series and partnerships with local Native American organizations, community organizations, and tribes. We are grateful for your trust in our work and your commitment to our community.
